Apparatus for closing open mouth bags or the like



July 7, 1959 M. LIENART 2,393,134 I APPARATUSFOR CLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGSOR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, l957 6 SheetsSheet 3,

INVENTOR. 1% RCEL LIENA R7? BY M. LIENART Jul 7, 1959 APPARATUS FORCLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, 1957 m 1 5.2.1:: w 9T e m a v w Q mm m .WMI h a In H S fi w W P 1 1k} 6 w w I... .llh, 5 r0M ,ll .n i 2 .m 1. 7 u 1b 4 M Mm 3 I m I|- n L M H H 4.0 n m l 10D N a.w W m i M LO? 0 w w w M 1| 7 8 M4 fPCEL LIE/VA R7.

BY MMW @W m (244W.

ATTO/FNEKi July 7, 1959 M. LlENAR'f 2,893,184

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGS OR THE. LIKE Filed Feb 18, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 5 211 zae zs 5O r"-" O I WNW "H1 H.

INVENTOR.

W 'wawz/u ATTORNEYS.

July 7, 1959 I M. LIENART 2,393,184

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, 1957 eSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

MECEL L HEN/4E7? zm/Lo/w MJACZZMM ATTORNEYS.

y 7, 1959v M. LIENART 7 2,893,184

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGS OR THE LIKE I Filed Feb. 18,1957 eSheets-Sheet 5 MCI? CONTPGLLi'D VALVE HAND OPERATED 56 ALVE RESERVOIR ToFfq- 9 INV ENTOR.

MA RCEL L IBM/IE7.

ATTORNEYS.-

July 7, 1959 I M. LIENART 2,893,184

r APPARATUS FOR CLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, 1957e Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR. MRCEL L/ENA IP71 BY ATTORNEYJ.

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR CLOSING OPEN MOUTH BAGS OR THE LIKEMarcel Lienart, Brussels, Belgium, assiguor to St. Regis Paper Company,New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application February 18, 1957,Serial No. 640,852

Claims priority, application Belgium March 31, 1956 15 Claims. (Cl.5375) This invention relates to apparatus for closing and sealing theopen mouths of filled bags and the like packages. The invention isparticularly adapted for the closing and sealing of so-called balerbags, that is to say, bags which contain a number of smaller filled bagsor other objects, although various aspects of the invention are alsoapplicable to the closing of bags containing loose material. a

It has heretofore been known to provide apparatus for closing open mouthbags by feeding same to means which will cut off the upper portion ofthe bag somewhat above the level of the charge, the apparatus thenacting to unite the tops of the remaining flap portions by means of aseam or otherwise. However, with such apparatus, if the height of thecharge varies in difierent bags, and if it is desired to form theclosure at the proper position to avoid voids within the tops of thebags, then it is necessary to have a workman in constant personalattendance to regulate manually the leight ofthe cut, depending upon theheight of the charge in each bag.

Various machines have also heretofore been known for closing boxes orthe like small container by automatic means which will form the closureat a predetermined height above the bottom of the container. This lattertype of equipment, however, does not allow for variations in the heightof the finished package according to variations of the volume of thecharges of given weights in successive bags. That is, due tomanufacturing conditions and variations in the density of the productsbeing packed, the hi ight to which the successive bags are filled mayvary considerably, and hence if the bag closure is formed at apredetermined height, then the finished container will be only more orless filled and will not comprise a desirable firm package closelyembracing the contents.

The present invention avoids the above-noted difliculties by theprovision of me. as for automatically forming the top closure of the bagat a height depending upon the height of the contents in each bag andthe closure is formed by folding closure flap portions at the mouth ofthe bag inwardly and downwardly against the contents, the positions ofthe base fold lines of the closure flaps being automatically regulatedin accordance with the height of the charge in each bag.

In carrying out the invention, successive open mouth filled bags areeach moved vertically with respect to mechanism for forming the closureand such vertical movement is automatically stopped when the top surfaceof the charge in the bag reaches a predetermined position with respectto such mechanism. The mechanism then automatically acts to fold theclosure flaps inwardly and against the surface of the charge, or inother words, the means for starting the bag closing operations operatesas a function of the height of the charge in the bag.

According to another aspect of the invention, mechanism is provided forautomatically forming vertical slits in the top portion of the bagsalong lines which are to define the side edges of the closure flaps andthese slits also may be of a length varying in accordance with theheight of the charge. In this way, for example, the closure may be madeto comprise inturned corner flaps at opposite corners of the bag andinturned overlying side flaps at least partially separated by slits fromthe corner flaps. Means is also provided for applying adhesive atappropriate locations on the flaps during the closing operations.

The invention makes it possible to make top closures for bags which arethe same as the bottom closures formed of pasted closure flaps, andapart from the question of desirable appearance which this makespossible, the invention has the advantage of forming top closures whichwill be of a strength anddurability equivalent to the bottom closures,and forming a package which will be substantially free of voids.

Various further and more specific objects, features and advantages ofthe invention will appear from the description given below, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way ofexample a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a bag which has been filled with aplurality of smaller bags for example, and on which bag a top closurehas been formed according to the invention to the extent of folding downin place two corner flaps at 31c and 31d, the side flaps at 31a and 31bstill remaining open;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to 'Fig. 1 but showing the bag with a completedtop closure;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of apparatusaccording to the invention, details of certain parts being shown insection taken substantially along the section line IIIIII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view taken at right angles to the view of Fig.3 with certain of the parts being shown in section substantially alongline IVIV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the same apparatus takensubstantially along line VV of Fig. 3, but omitting portions of one ofthe corner flap folding devices;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line IVIVof Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a View showing portions of the parts shown in Fig. 4 andfurther showing a device for elevating the upper portion of the machine;and

Figs. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of the principal actuating devicesof the apparatus and the control valves and connections therefor, Fig. 9completing the diagram of Fig. 8 when the latter is placed to the rightof Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in further detail, the apparatus may beformed with a lower frame structure 1 at the mid-portion of which thereis provided a' bag carrier plate 2 which is arranged to be raised andlowered by means of a piston rod 4 forming part of hydraulic cylinderand piston means 5. The cylinder is connected by conduit 7 through avalve 8 to a cylinder 6 containing a piston 9, the left hand surface ofwhich receives pressure, for example compressed air, while the righthand surface thereof acts to force hydraulic liquid such as oil from thecylinder 6 into the cylinder and piston device 5. Thus when the valve 8is opened, air pressure against piston 9 will act to cause the bagcarrier plate 2 to rise. A slidable guide shaft for such plate isindicated at 3a.

The frame structure 1 supports a superstructure 1a which is verticallyadjustable with respect to the lower frame 1 and may be fixed withrespect thereto at a predetermined level. The means for adjusting theheight of the frame portions 1a and fixing same in position, will behereinafter described. The apparatus for controlling the closingoperations as a function of the height of the charge contained in thebags, is located above and supported by the upper frame arrangement 1a.Such apparatus, includes a plate-like member 12 supported by a plufalityof shafts as at 13, which are slidably mounted in openings formed in asupport 14, springs as at 13a being mounted on such shafts normally tourge the plate member 12 in a downward direction. The support 14 carriesan air valve 15 on its underside, of a type normally held closed by aspring, butwhich will respond sensitively to and be opened by engagementof its valve stem with the plate 12 when the latter is urged upwardly.This mechanism may be supported and protected by a sheet metal casing16=which casing is secured to a piston rod 17 connected to' a piston 18contained in an air cylinder 1%. A guide shaft-is indicated at 17a forholding the assembly of housing '16 against turning whenthe'piston 18acts to raise or lower thehousing together with all of the other partsattached thereto.

The casing 16 carries a slit cutting mechanism comprising oscillatingarms located respectively adjacent the four corners of the enclosure,three of these four arms being indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 at 19, 20 and19a. Each such arm at its lower end is attached to a knife carrier as at19b, 1921b and 20b. Such oscillating arms are controlled by a cylinderand piston device 21, 210, connected by suitable cranks and linkages,including a connecting rod 22, as will be apparent from Figs. 3 and 4,whereby when thelpiston .rod is thrust outwardly of the cylinder, theknife carriers will be thrust inwardly to pierce the upper wallportio'nsof the bagwhen located to surround the housing 16, the knivesthen protruding through the paper and through slits as indicated in thesides of the housing 16. The cylinder and piston device 21, 21c alsoacts, before the housing 16 is lowered, to retract the knives to theirouter initial positions, which they occupy before the start of eachcycle of operation of the machine.

The closure-forming mechanism per se, includes a bag guiding andretaining member 23 shaped to surround a bag and slid'ably receive sameas it is elevated into position'to beiclosed. A vertically extendingplate '24 is suitably-mounted to engage one side wall of the bag, whichis to form the overlying side flap of the closure and which will assumea position as indicated by the dot and dash line at 31a when the bag ispositioned for closing. The closing mechanism also includes means forfolding down the opposite side flap, the position of which whenpartially closed, is indicated by dot and dash line 31b.

Also, the closing mechanism includes means for folding down the cornerflaps (31c, 31d, Fig. 1) before the side flaps are folded in place. Thislatter means will now be-described in connection with Figs. 4 and andsame comprises two paddle-like members 25, 25a (the paddle ZSabeingomittedfor clearnessin Fig. 5). These paddles are moved in from oppositedirections toward the space occupied by the bag and during theirmovement are carriedon supports respectively as at 26 and 26a. Thesesupports respectively are actuated by pistons 28 and 28a contained inair cylinders 29, 29a which are mounted to oscillate their pistonsapproximately horizontally, but the cylinders may pivot slightly aboutpivotal supports 30 and "30a although the cylinders are normally urgeddownwardly as bysprings 191 and 191a. Each of the paddle supports 26,26a may be carried on rollers as indicated, which areguided by rails 27,27a. These guide rails have inclined portions'27c, 27ac,.so that asthepaddles 25, 25a engage respectively the opposed corner flaps of a bag,they will first cause such flaps to be folded inwardly and thenthepaddle supports will be lowered somewhat by reason of such inclinedrail portions, whereby the paddles will be lowered as they slidehorizontally inwardly over the:closed corner flaps of the bag.

I The arrangement for folding down the side flaps 31a, 31b ofthe'bagi'ncludes rollers 32, 32a (see Figs. 3 and 5) mounted on shafts'33, 33a which in turn arecarried in brackets34', 34a secured to pistonrods 35, 35a of pistons 36, 36a which reciprocate in cylinders 37, 37a.These cylinders are positioned normally to move their piston rodshorizontally, but the cylinders are pivoted at their outer ends asindicated at 38, 38a and their inner ends are urged downwardly as bysprings 381, 381a carried by suitable supports mounted on thesuperstructure 1a.

With the flap closing arrangements above described there are alsoassociated means for projecting sprays of glue onto the proper areas onthe bag flaps where adhesive is required to seal the flaps in closedcondition. That is, two opposed spray guns 39, 39a are preferablyadjustably mounted on the superstructure frame parts so as to projectadhesive onto the upper surfaces of the corner flaps 31c, 3101 at propertimes, whereby after they are folded down and the side flaps 31a, 31bare folded thereover, the latter will be adhered in place. A glue spraygun 40 (see in Fig. 3) is mounted on the frame structure preferably byan adjustable bracket means, so as to project glue onto the underside ofthe overlying side flap 31a before same is folded down to bag closingposition, and so that when it is folded down it will adhere to thecorner flaps.

The apparatus for moving the filled bags successively into position forclosing/will now be described, first with particular reference to Figs.3, 5 and 6. Filled bags are conveyed in upstanding position through achannel indicated generally at 41, the floor of which consists ofrollers 42 which may be driven by suitable means (not shown), suchchannel being'limited at its lateral surfaces by sheet metal guides 43,44 and 45, the inner end of the channel at the bottom being obstructedby a barrier member 46. The guide plate 44 is mounted to be'hinged abouta vertical pivot 44a so that by the action of a cylinder and pistondevice 44b, 440 this guide may be moved into and obstruct somewhat thechannel 41. .Guide plate 45 is mounted on shafts 451a, 451b which areslidable in suitable frame means to permit the plate 45 to moveoutwardly against a pneumatic valve at 45g (Fig. 5), such valve beingactuated in the opposite direction by a spring. The barrier member 46(Fig. 6) is also positioned to act against a pneumatic spring-actuatedvalve 460.

The bags are passed from the channel 41 onto the supporting plate 2 bythe action of a pusher means generally designated at 47 in Fig. 3 andwhich comprises plates 47a, 47b and 47:11; carried by a movable frame48. Such frame is secured to a shaft 51 forming the piston rod of apiston 50 operating in a cylinder 49. This frame is also supported byroller means 52 positioned to roll along a rail 53. The plate 47b ismounted so as to be movable with respect to the frame 48 when actuatcd.by cylinder and piston means 470! secured to the frame.

Each bag, after it has been elevated by supporting plate 2 and closedand then lowered again (to the position shown at 31x in Fig. 3),, ispushed by asucceeding bag from the platform 2 onto a platform 54 whileits closed top portion is slidably engaged by a plate 55 mounted onsprings as indicated so as to retain the top closure firmly down inposition. The plates 54, 55 should-be extended far enough to hold thebag flaps down in pasted position until the adhesive has set.

The machine is arranged for normally functioning continuously with onebag following another automatically. However, special devices ashereinafter described are provided for permitting the functioning of themachine bag by bag, such devices insuring particularly the automaticdischarge of the last bag of a continuous series thereof.

The mechanism, the principal features of which are hereinabovedescribed, is preferably .all arranged so as to permit adjustment forhandling bags of different dimensions. For this purpose, all of theclosing members twhichact to cooperate with the upper portions of thebags are made readily removable and interchangeable with correspondingparts of different dimensions. For example-,thepaddles 25,- 25a aresecured to their supports by means of removable rods and may 'bereplaced by paddles of other dimensions. Similarly, rollers 32, 32a maybe interchanged with others by unbolting their supports from the pistonrods which control same. The bag guiding and retaining member 23 for theupper portions of the bags may also be replaced by others ofdifferentdimensions. In order to permit bags of various heights to beclosed, the position of the superstructure 1a which carries the closingmembers is adjustable with respect to the lower frame 1. For thispurpose, the frame 1 is provided with four column-like guides 100, 100a,101, 101a extending to the topof the machine. Such guides at their lowerportions telescope into tubes 100b, 100ab, 101b, 101ab which are securedas by welding to the frame 1. The superstructure 1a has secured as bywelding thereon similar tubes 200b, 200ab, 201b, 201ab (Figs. 3 and 7)which, if desired, may be pro vided on their interior with suitableknown forms of antifriction means, and which slide on the upper portionsof the guides 100, 101, etc. The upper tubes as at 200b, 200ab, etc. maybe adjusted in position so that their lower ends terminate at anydesired levels such as indicated by the dash lines N. The upper tubesare united at their lower portions by a strong plate 300 (Figs. 4 and 7)which has a central opening large enough topermit the largest bags actedupon to pass therethrough.

In order to raise the superstructure 1a and the parts mounted thereon,the bag elevating means may be used including the platform 2 and in amanner for example as indicated in Fig. 7. That is, between thisplatform and the plate 300 there may be inserted a member 500 ofsuitable shape such as of an inverted pyramid. Then, by raising theplatform 2 in the usual manner, the plate 300 and the structure 1a whichit supports may be raised to a height for example slightly greater thanthe final desired height. Then complementary sernicylindrical shellmembers as at 400, 400b may be clamped in place @as by bolts upon thevertical guides at positions between the top of the lower tubes and theundersurface of the plate 300. Subsequently the structure 1a is loweredagain until the plate 300 rests upon the members 400, 400b, etc.Finally, the member 500 may be withdrawn after the plate 2 is lowered.

The operation of the machine will now be explained in further detail.The machine being adapted for continu'al automatic functioning, it willbe understood that all operations or cycles of operation which mustfollow one, another in predetermined sequence may be initiated from acentral actuating position, or they may act in dependence on thesuccessive positions of each. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention as herein de scribed, the latter solution has been adopted.For this purpose, the machine, the actuating members of which havealready been in part described, includes various other devices in theform of control and distributor valves as hereinafter explained, moreparticularly in connection with Figs. 8 and 9.

In the latter figures, certain black pointed arrows are shownaccompanying various of the control valves. These are intended toindicate connections running from a suitalble source of compressed air,hereinafter referred to as mover air. Similar other arrows as shownstart from small circles and these are intended to indicate connectionsfrom a suitable source of air of a lesser pressure, hereinafter referredto as impulse air, which is supplied for the purpose of moving valvepieces and the like. Certain other arrows are shown as will be notedterminating with open or white triangular points. These are intended toindicate points at which air may escape.

Let us assume that at the start of operations the positions of variouspiston rods are as follows:

Cylinder 19p. piston rod is down Cylinder 21 piston rod is in v 6.Cylinder 44b piston rod is in Cylinder 47d piston rod is in Cylinder 49piston rod is out Cylinder 5 piston rod is down.

The pistons of cylinders 29, 29a, 37, 37111 are all in.

Let us assume that the first bag arrives on driven conveyor rollers 42and engages the plate 45 which causes actuation of the valve piece ofvalve 45: thus establishing connection between conduits 45a and 45b (seeFig. 9, lower left). The first bag continues to advance and engages thebarrier member 46 which actuates valve 46c (see top, Fig. 9) in adirection to establish communication between conduits 46a and 46b. Sinceat this moment the piston 4 is down, whereby as shown in the diagramnear the bottom of Fig. 8 the platform 2 will press down a valve pieceof a valve 56, such valve will establish communication between a sourceof impulse air and the conduit 46a, so that the air thus admitted toconduit 46:: has access to the following, viz: through valve 46c to avalve 57, the valve piece of which is moved to the right therebyadmitting mover air to conduit 57b and onto the right hand side ofpiston 5.0 in cylinder 49, thereby pulling frame 48 to the left with theconsequence that pushing plates 47a, 470b, etc. push the bag onto plate2. This permits valve 460 to move back to normal position allowing airto escape from conduit 46b; to valve 58, the valve piece of which isthereby moved to the right thus admit ting mover air onto the right sideof the piston 440, such piston then moving plate 44 inwardly of the bagintake conveyor thereby checking the following 'bag from access tobarrier member 46; the above mentioned actuation of piston 50 causesframe 48 to engage the valve pieces of two spring-actuated valves 59,60; valve 59 on being then actuated, permits passage of impulse air byway of conduit 59b onto the valve piece of valve 61 (lower left cornerof Fig. 8). Such valve piece, moving to the left, then admits mover aironto the left hand surface of piston 9 which is thereby caused to forceoil from cylinder 6 into the space below piston 4 in cylinder 5, throughconduit 7 and spring valve 8. This valve is open, thus permitting thepassage of oil to cylinder 5. Valve 8 is open because impulse air isapplied via valve 62 and conduit 7b to the bottom of valve 8. The valvepiece of valve 62 is on the right side of the valve since mover air hasbeen applied through conduit 610 to the left side of valve 62, to lowerplatform 2 at the end of the preceding cycle. This causes the bagpositioned on platform 2 to be raised toward the bag flap closingmechanism; the spring valve 60 (as actuated by frame 48) also now causesimpulse air to be admitted through a conduit 45a to the valve 45g,thence through conduit 45b to the valve 57 if plate 45 is constantlydepressed, in other words, if the bags follow one another on the infeedroller conveyor. The valve piece of valve 57 is then pushed to the leftthus admitting mover air onto the left-hand surface of piston 50 therebycausing the frame 48 together with pusher means 47 to resume theirinitial positions. The frame 48 then depresses the valve piece'of aspring-actuated valve 5a which admits impulse air via conduit 5ab to theright hand surface of the valve piece in a valve 58. This valve thenadmits mover air onto the left-hand surface of piston 44c which resumesits initial position thereby withdrawing the plate 44 and freeing theconveyor entrance for admission of the next bag. Another bag advances toa position in front of pusher means 47 and causes actuation of valve 460again. But nothing will happen as a result, because the valve 56, notbeing now held down by the plate 2 (which has not yet descended) placesconduit 46a into air discharging position.

The rising of the bag on plate 2 causes contact of the charge containedtherein with the plate 12. This opens valve 15 which is normally closedby a spring, allowing impulse air to enter conduit 15b and to bedistributed as follows, viz: to valve 62 (bottom of Fig. 8), the valvepiece of which is pushed to the left. The conduit 7b to 7 7 valve Sisconnected to allow air escape therefrom and the valve piece in valve '8descends; thus shutting oif'com; munication of oil between cylindersSand 6, and in efiect locking piston 4' in its upward position forholding up plate Iand-thehag'thereon in a position suitable forsubjectingth'e'latter to the actions of the closing mechanisms; toad-ifferential'valve 63 (top of Fig. 8) the valve piece of which ispushed toward the left thereby admitting mover air to a conduit 63bwhich energizes the glue atomizin'g devices 39, 391:. These devices, theoperation of which is per se known, project jets of glue when they arethus connected with a source of compressed air; by way of abranch ofconduit 1512" to a timer controlled valve 6501f a suitable known typewhich, after an adjustable predetermined period of time, allows passageof impulse air byway. of acondiiit l'conto' the left hand surface of thevalve piecein differential valve 63 and onto the upper surface of thevalve piece of a valve 66.

Thevalve 66 then admits mover air onto the surface on the left of thepiston 210 which has the effect of actuating the slitter knives a, 20b,etc. The same mover ai'r acts to elevate piston 18 for driving upwardlythe boir 1.6 and the parts connected thereto. Four slits are thu s ma deby the slitter knives adjacent the four corners of the mute of'th'e .bagfor defining the edges of corner flaps are, fil dwith respect to theedges of side flaps 31a, 31b (Fig-l), When the piston 18 reaches itsuppermost position, this causes a member 16a mounted on the box 16 toengage and actuate the valve piece of a valve 67; The latter allowspassage of impulse air via conduit 64, valve 64 and conduit 64]), ontothe upper surface of the valve piece of a valve 68. The latter admitsmover air onto the rear surface of piston 28 which is forced out and bymeans of the paddle folds down the first corner flap of the bag. At theend of its travel, 0

the rod of piston 28 or any desired abutment thereon actuat'es aspring-pressed valve 69 which then admits impulse air via conduit 69b tothe lower end of the valve piece of a valve 70 which is moved to giveaccess of mover air onto the back of piston 28a. The latter emerges fromits cylinder causing folding down of the second corner flap of the bagand at the end of its stroke causes actuation of a valve 71 to aposition such that impulse air is admitted by way of a conduit 71b ontothe left hand surface of the valve piece of a valve 72. The latter valvepiece compresses its spring and moves to admit air behind the piston 36in cylinder 37, causing the latter to move its accompanying roller 32 ina direction to cause folding down of the side flap 31b of the bag. Whenthis roller reaches the end of its stroke, piston 36 or an abutmentconnected thereto causes actuation of a spring-pressed valve 73 in suchmanner as to admit impulse air through a conduit 73b and thence asfollows, viz": to; the lower surface of the valve piece of adiffereritial valve 74 which is moved to admit mover air to the glueatomizer or sprayer 40 above referred to for applying glue to theunderside of the overlying side flap 31st of the bag; and to a timercontrolled air valve 75 of a suitable known type which at the end of anadjustable predetermined period of time acts to admit air to conduit 75athus causing the valve piece in valve 74 to descend and to stop theaction of the glue atomizer 40. At the same time, air from conduit 75amoves the valve piece in avalve 76 toward the left for allowing moverair to be applied to the back of a piston 36a. As the latter pistonemerges, its accompanying roller 32a folds down the side flap 31a of thebag and at the end of the stroke a valve 77 is actuated to admit impulseair via a conduit 77b to the left of the valve piece of a valve 76. Atthe same time, impulse air from the valve 77 is admitted througha-branchof conduit 77b to the upper surface of thelvalv'epiece of a valve64, causing the latter to descn'd to connect. conduit- 64b to discharge.The valve piece in valve 68 so moves as to cause an to he applied ontothe frentsurrace of piston 28 which is their withdrawri. This causesvalve 69 to connect eonduit 69b to discharge.- The valve piece of valve70 thereupon descends and admits mover air onto thefro'nt surface ofpiston 28a which is'ther'eby withdrawn. Piston 28a freeing the valve 71at the end of the stroke, connects con duit 71b to discharge.Thevalvep'iece of valve 72 then admits mover air onto piston 36 which iswithdrawn,

, thereby freeing spring-actuated valve 73 which places conduits 73b and75a in communication with a discharge connection. The valve 76 thenadmits mover air onto' piston 36:: and such piston is retracted andduring such movement is arranged to. actuate a finger 78a whichfor amoment depresses the valve piece of a spring-actuatedvalve 78 which viaconduit 17b admitsimpulse air to the left of the valve piece in valve61; The latter valve piece is thereby moved to the right thus admittingmover air via a conduit 610 to the upper surface of piston 4 and also tothe left surface of the valve piece in valve 62,

' the latter permitting then impulse air to' pass through conduit 7b tothe valve 8 which then opens. Piston 4 is then pushed down by the airpressure above same as it no longer encounters the resistance of the oiltherein under the piston since the piston 9 in cylinder 6 may now bemoved by the oil pressure to the left, this being possible because theleft hand surface of piston 9 is now connected to discharge. The plate2'upon which a bag rests, which bag has now been closed, descends withthe piston 4. The valve 56 now being depressed by a plate 2 again admitsimpulse air into conduit 46a from where, via the valve 66 whose valvepiece rises, air is admitted onto piston 18 This forces the piston 18down along with the parts connected thereto causing the slitter knivesto be simultaneously retracted by the piston 21c onto the front surfaceof which valve 66 will now have admitted' mover air.

The entire apparatus has thus now resumed its initial condition, thevalve 45q remaining open because the bags continuously succeeding oneanother engage against plate 45. The following bag arriving on plate 2pushes the closed bag into position on plate 54 and below the resilientplate 55 (Fig. 3), to permit the adhesive on the closed flaps to dry orbecome set.

When the last bag of a series which is being closed frees plate 45,thereby freeing valve 45g, passage is established between conduits 45aand 450. The bag reaches normally platform 2. When frame 48 comes incontact with spring valves 59 and 60, impulse air flows through thesevalves. From valve 59, impulse air flows to valve 61 and positions itsvalve piece to the left. Platform 2 is thus lifted and spring valve 79is closed. During that time, impulse air flowing through spring valve 60flows through 45a, 45c, throttle 81 and reservoir 82 to spring valve'79. The throttle 81 and reservoir 82 have the effect that the impulseair reaches valve 79 when this valve is closed. Note: spring valve 59 isequipped with a simi lar actuating system as spring valve 78, i.e.,frame 48 depresses only momentarily valve 59. When the bag foldingoperations are performed, platform 2 descends and opens spring valve 79.Impulse air flows-then through this valve 79, conduit 79a to the leftside of spring valve 84 Mover air flows to the back face of piston 47ad.Auxiliary pusher 47b discharges the bag from platform 2 onto plate 54.

While the machine functions as above dmcribed, the arrival of the nextbag against the plate 45 will actuate valve 45:; in such a manner as toopen the passage 45m- 4517 and to place conduit 45 in communication witha discharge opening which allows small pusher piston 47ad to bewithdrawn. The connection 45a-45b through the intermediary of valve 57will cause piston 50 to emerge and will cause the return of the pushermeans 47 back to a position Where same will be ready to act on a new-bagto push it onto the machine. Thus the various parts of 9 the machine arerestored to the proper positions for the starting of a new cycle ofoperation.

It should be understood that theexpression bag as used herein and in theappended claims, for the sakeof brevity, may be taken as including anykind of single or multiple ply wrapping of paper or other sheetmaterial, such as plastic material and various combinations thereof.Such wrapping may be closed in any manner at the lower portion of thepackage so as to hold the charge contained therein and to present anopening at the upper portion which is to be closed by the apparatus ofthis invention.

The valve 85 indicated at the lower left end of Fig. 8 may be a manuallyoperated valve with ports and connections so arranged as to admit moverair against piston 9 when desired, to move the bag platform 2 upwardlyfor any purpose, such as for example when the elevation ofsuperstructure 1a is to be readjusted by using piston 4 to to elevatesame. Valve 85 also may have a discharge opening to release pressurefrom piston 9 when the bag platform 2 is to be lowered, afteraccomplishing such a purpose or for other reasons.

Although a certain particular embodiment of the invention is hereindisclosed for purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof,after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains. Reference should accordingly behad to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the like, comprisingin combination: a member adapted to be moved responsive to pressureapplied by the upper portion of the charge contained in the filled bag;devices for folding mouth portions of the bag to bag closing positions;mechanism for relatively moving the filled bag with respect to saidmember and devices, whereby such mem her is thus moved by such pressure;and mechanism actuated responsive to such pressure-responsive movementfor then actuating said devices for closing the bag mouth with theclosure at a position depending upon the effective height of the chargein the bag.

2. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the like, comprisingin combination: a member adapted to be moved responsive to pressureapplied by the upper portion of the charge containedin the filled bag;slitter means for forming slits to separate mouth portions of the bagfor forming closure. flaps thereof; devices for folding such flaps tobag closing positions; mechanism for relatively moving the filled bagwith respect to said member whereby such member is subjected to suchpressure; and mechanism actuated responsive to movement of said memberunder such pressure for then actuating said slitter means'to form slitsof lengths depending upon the effective height of the charge in the bag,and thereafter actuating said devices for folding said flaps to bagclosing condition with the closure at positions also depending upon sucheffective height.

3. Apparatus comprising in combination with slitter means for formingslits to separate the mouth portions of filled bags for forming closureflaps thereof, mechanism for relatively moving the filled bag withrespect to said slitter means and with the bag mouth portions inupstanding position, means having portions adapted to engage and receivepressure from the upper portion of the charge contained in the filledbags, said latter means being operatively associated with said slittermeans to actuate the latter responsive to. such pressure to cause offilled bags and the like for forming closure flaps thereof, comprisingin combination: means for elevating the filled bag with the mouthportions thereof in upstanding condition; an enclosure-like structurepositioned to be thereupon received in the mouth of the bag with theupper portions of the bag surrounding same; slitter blades mountedexternally of such enclosure; a control device in said enclosure andadapted to engage and receive pressure from the upper portion of thecharge contained in the filled bag; means then operative responsive tosuch pressure on said control device to check further elevation of thebag with respect to such enclosure; additional control devices forthereupon actuating said slitter blades to cut into the bag Wallssurrounding the enclosure; and further control means for thereuponelevating the slitter blades with respect to the bag mouth to form slitsstarting from points dependent upon the effective height of the chargein the bag.

5. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the like, comprisingin combination: a plurality of devices for respectively folding closureflaps on the bag into bag closing positions; means for relatively movingin a generally vertical direction the filled bag with respect to saiddevices; means for stopping said movement actuatable in response to thearrival of the top surface of the charge in the bag at a predeterminedelevation with respect to said devices; slitter means for forming slitsto separate mouth portions of the bag for forming two opposite cornerclosure flaps and two opposite side flaps; said devices comprising apair of oppositely directed paddlelike members for respectively engagingand folding down the corner flaps, fluid-actuated cylinder and pistonmeans for respectively moving said paddle-like means generallyhorizontally and inwardly and slidably over the corner flaps as same arefolded down thereby, a pair of rollers for closing the side flaps,fluid-actuated cylinder and piston means for moving said rollersrespectively generally horizontally into engagement with the side flapsrespectively to fold same down into bag closing positions and rollthereover, and automatic control means for causing actuation of saidcylinder and piston means for the paddle-like members and tosubsequently cause actuation of said cylinder and piston means for oneof said rollers and then for the other.

6. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the like, comprisingin combination: a plurality of devices for respectively folding cornerand side closure flaps on the bag into bag closing positions; means forrelatively moving in a generally vertical direction the filled bag withrespect to said devices; means for stopping said movement actuatable inresponse to the arrival of the top surface of the charge in the bag at apredetermined elevation with respect to said devices; adhesiveprojectors for respectively applying adhesive onto the outer surfaces ofthe corner flaps and onto the inner surface of one side flap which is tooverlie the other side flap; said devices comprising a pair ofoppositely directly paddle-like members respectively for engaging andfolding down the corner flaps, fluid-actuated cylinder and piston meansrespectively for moving said paddle-like means generally horizontallyand inwardly and slidably over the corner flaps as the same are foldeddown thereby, a pair of rollers for closing the side flaps,fluid-actuated cylinder and piston means for moving said rollersrespectively generally horizontally into engagement with the side flapsrespectively to fold same down into bag closing positions and rollthereover, and automatic control means for causing in predeterminedsequence, after said stopping, the actuation of the adhesive projectors,actuation of said cylinder and piston means for the paddle-like membersand actuation of said cylinder and piston means for the roller whichengages said other side flap and finally for the other roller. I 1

7. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the ylike,comprising in combination: a plurality of devices for respectivelyfolding corner and side closure flaps on .;the bag into bag closingpositions; means for relatively moving in a generally vertical directionthe filled vbagwith respect to said devices; means for stopping saidmovement actuatable in response to the arrival of the top surface of thecharge in the bag .at a predetermined elevation with respect to saiddevices; said devices comprising a pair ofmembers respectively forengaging and folding down the corner flaps, fluid-actuated cylinder andpistonmeans respectively for moving said members generally horizontallyand inwardly and over the corner flaps as same are folded down thereby,a pair of other members respectively for engaging and folding down theside flaps, fluid-actuated cylinder and piston means for moving saidother members respectively generally horizontally into engagement withthe side flaps respectively to fold same down into closing positions,track means for guiding said other members somewhat downwardly afterengagement with the side flaps, spring pressure applying means forurging all of said members downwardlyagainst the respective flaps; andautomatic control means for causing actuation of said cylinder and"piston means for saidfirst named members and to subsequer tly causeactuation of said cylinder and piston means for said other memberssuccessively.

8. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and thelike; comprisingin combination: devices for respectively folding closure flaps on thebag into bag closing positions; means for elevating the filled bag withrespect to said devices; means for stopping the elevating movementactuatable in response to the arrival of the top surface of the chargein the bag at a predetermined elevation with respect to said devices;slitter means for forming slits toseparate mouth portions of the bag forforming closure flaps; a lower frame structure at which said elevatingmeans is located; a superstructure supporting said devices and saidslitter means; and supporting posts upon which said superstructure isvertically adjustable to accommodate bags of different heights;

9. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the like, comprisingin combination: devices for respectively folding closure flaps on thebag into bag closing positions; means for elevating the filled bag withrespect to said devices; means for stopping the elevating movementactuatable in response to the arrival of the top surjfaceof the chargein the bag at a predetermined elevation with respectto said devices; alower frame structure at which said elevating means is located; asuperstructure supporting said devices; and supporting posts upon whichsaid superstructure is vertically adjustable to accommodate bags ofdifferent heights, said elevating means being located in such positionbeneath said superstructure that it-may be-used as a source of power forelevating said superstructure when adjusting the height thereof.

10. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the :like,comprising in combination: devices for folding closure flaps on the bagvinto bag closing positions; elevator-means for raising the filled bagwith respect to said devices; means for stopping the elevating movementact'uatable inresponse to the arrival of the top surface of the'chargein the bag at a predetermined elevation with respect to said devices;and slitter means for forming slits to separate mouth portions of thebag for forming closure :ifiaps, said slitter means being actuatableresponsive-also to the arrival of the top surface of the charge in:the'bag-at -a predetermined elevation and acting automatieally to {thencause the slitter means to engage the bag *an'd'to'be elevated inrespect thereto, whereby the slits are started at a-predetermineddistance below the top edges of the bag and extend thence substantiallyvertically upwardly, said distance depending upon the height of thecharge in the-bag. e

ll. Apparatus forclosing filled open mouth bags and the like, comprisingin combination: devices fortfolding closure flaps onthe bag {into bagclosing positions; elevatpr means for raising the filled bag withrespect to saiddevices; means for stopping the elevating movementaetuatable in response to .the arrival of the top surface of the chargein thebag at a predetermined elevation with respect to said devices;slitter means for forming slits to separate mouthportions of the bag forforming closure flaps, said .slitter means being actuatable in responsealso to the arrival of the top surface of the charge in the bag at apredetermined elevation and acting automatically to then cause theslitter means to engage the bag and to be elevated :in respect thereto,whereby the slits are started at apredetermined distance below the topedges of the bag and extend thence substantially vertically upwardly,said distance depending upon the height of the charge Zin the bag; meansfor then applying adhesive to the outer surfaces of two oppositeflapsand onto the inner surface of another flap which is to become anoverlying flap; and means for then actuating said devices inpredetermined sequence to foldithe flaps to closed positions.

12. Apparatusfor closing filled open mouth bags and the like; comprisingin combination: devices for :respectively folding closure :fiaps on thebaginto bag closing positions; an elevator-for elevating the'bag tobring its mouth portions into position to be operated .upon by saiddevices; reciprocating pusher means for pushing bags in succession onto:said elevator and from said elevator after the bag has been elevated,closed by said devices and lowered; meansfor conveying the bags insuccessioncinto position 'in-'front of said pusher means; means forchecking the movement of bags from said'conveyor means when said pushermeans is acting against a preceding bag or bags; and control vmeans foroperating said devices, said elevator, said pusher means and saidchecking means in a predetermined sequence.

13. Apparatus in accordance with the foregoing claim 12 and in whichsaid pusher means acting as a principal pusher means is accompanied byan auxiliary pusher means normally immovable with respect to theprincipal pusher means; actuating means for advancing said auxiliarypusher means'beyond the principal pusher means; and means controllingsaid actuating means responsive to a substantial interruption'in thesupply of bags whereby in that event the auxiliary pusher pushes afilled bag from the elevator means.

14. Apparatus-for closing filled open mouth bags and the like,comprising in combination: a member adapted to engage the surface of thecharge contained in the filled bag when in upright position; devicesmounted at a predetermined elevation for folding down mouth portions ofthe bag -to bag closing positions along horizontal fold lines on the bagadjacent said devices; mechanism for elevating the filled 'bag withrespect to said member and devices, whereby such member protrudes intothe bag mouth and is engaged by-such surface; and mechanism actuatableresponsive to such engagement for then actuating said devicesfor-closing the bag'mouth whereby the closure fold lines are thus causedto form at positions 'on the bag dependent upon the effective height ofthe charge in the bag.

15. Apparatus for closing filled open mouth bags and the1jke,1eomprising in combination: a member adapted to engage the'surfaceof ,thecharge contained in :the filled bag; devices (at opposite 'sidesof the bag for folding wn.m th ,no tib s Qt-t a o b g zs c g p s nsalong ,foldlines on bag-adjacent such devices; mechanism ,for'relativelymoving the filled bag with respect ,to said member and said devices in adirection substantially perpendicular to said surface and untilsuch-memberprotrudes,v into the bag mouthand is engaged by such surfaceof the charge; mechanism actuated responsive to s h en eme t r han soppin su r lat v movement; and "further meansactingresponsive to theactua- 13 '14 tion of said mechanism for activating said devices forReferences Cited in the file of this patent closing the bag mouth alongsaid fold lines thereon, and UNITED STATES PATENTS whereby the positionof said lines is dependent upon the bag position when said movement isstopped and ff f 3; hence also upon the position of said surface of the5 2:584'465 Kan a 1952 charge 2,746,222 Engleson May 22, 1956

